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Young drivers aged between sixteen and nineteen living in rural South Australia are
two and a half times more likely to die or be injured in a crash
than drivers the same age living in city areas.
Over half of all crashes resulting in death and ninety percent of crashes
resulting in serious injury are caused by a lapse in judgment, rather
than driving recklessly. There's some common types of crashes that occur
on rural roads with young drivers.
Let's take a look at some. A common cause of country crashes is running off the
bitumen road service to the left, which can be caused by distractions or a lapse in
concentration or judgment. This involves hitting the gravel or dirt
and then over correcting by steering to the right and/or braking too hard.
If this happens to you
ease off the accelerator
and do not brake harshly.
Hold the steering wheel with both hands, firmly ease the wheels slowly back onto the bitumen,
being aware of that raised edge between the soft edge of the road
and the bitumen, because this can cause the steering wheel to be wrenched out of your hands.
A large number of crashes occur at intersections. The main
cause of these crashes is lack of experience and judgment in selecting
safe gaps in fast moving traffic. Wait for the gaps in moving traffic that are larger,
regardless of the impatient driver that's behind you. Get plenty of practice
under the supervision of an experienced driver at selecting
safe gaps
when entering or leaving busy country roads.
Putting your seatbelt on would double your chances of surviving a crash to.
If you're driving on dirt roads, adjust your speed so you feel comfortable and in control.
Drive to the conditions
and to your confidence level. This may mean driving less than the speed limit.
For example, when the conditions are wet,
driving on unsealed roads, or the view ahead is limited, reduce your speed.
Be mindful that animals are especially active at dawn and dusk. And be extra aware
if there's vegetation on the side of the road as animals might be around. If you see an animal on the road,
brake but don't swerve at high speed.
Only drive around the animal if the road ahead is clear of oncoming traffic.
Even if you're familiar with country roads crashes still happen. By being smarter about
how you drive, you'll be a better driver and reduce the chances of crashing.
Visit mylicence.sa.gov.au for more driving hints
and tips.